Laryngitis ~ I Needed It

I have only been able to squeak out words the last few days because I have laryngitis. It's been tough because like everyone else I have a lot to say. You don't realize how much you will miss something until you no longer have it.

Struggling with losing my voice has had me realize I don't always put it to good use. There are times I complain about things that in the big scheme of life don't mean a thing. Over the last few weeks I have been grumbling about someone who isn't going to change. Every time I get drawn back in it turns into a mess causing me to amp up my "bitch" factor. Yes, I have one. Those closest to me know all about it. I have had some justification in my feelings, but my reaction is totally up to me. I guess my own vocal chords rebelled and shut me up.

I have a choice to spew my negativity or take a deep breath and write if off as a lesson learned. I can hear The Who's song, I Won't Be Fooled Again, playing in my head. So in this time of enforced silence I am going to let the person and the drama go. Blame is a two way street so I will shut up, stop pointing my finger, and let it go.

Six Word Saturday ~ April 27, 2013

Proud To Be Part Of This!

Welcome to this special edition of the Creative Nexus Café, which is a selection of memorable moments from the popular BlogTalkRadio internet radio show, a program promoting the arts, poetry, prose, interpretive readings, and philosophical thought to inspire the creative mind.

Featured in this special edition are:

Natasha Lynn Head, producer, host, and Dj
Roger Allen Baut, producer, host, and Dj

Susie Clevenger, author, poet, photographer, and coordinator of the Nexus Café
Joanne Young Elliott, program and talent coordinator of the Nexus Café
Matthew Charles Hatt, artist, experimental music, and audio specialist of the Nexus Café
Beth Winter, poet, photographer, and coordinator of the NWCU

Agnew T. Pickens, poet
East Elysium, musicians
Heather Grace Stewart, poet, and her daughter Kayla
Johnny Clyde, composer
Kim G, host of AWOP (a world of progress) radio
Knightspring, Creator of mashups
Poppy Silver and O.R.M.E., musicians
The KLF, musicians
The Juggernauts, musicians

The Creative Nexus Café™ - SE (Special Edition) by Chasing Tao is licensed under a  Creative Commons Licence.

Reflecting on the Loss of My Mother-in-law

On April 5th, 2013 I lost my mother-in-law to a tragic accident. She was a sweet, loving woman who had a heart big enough to forgive whatever trespass was acted out against her. Trying to cope with her loss has me in a mixture of tears and anger. I know I will get through both, but it is such a painful mix right now.

When I started dating my husband, Charlie, she immediately took me into the family. I can honestly say we only had one argument in the 45 years I knew her. Of course we had different opinions, but we never let it divide us.

What was funny through all the years she was my mother-in-law I referred to her as Charlie's mom or Grandma. It was just an oddity on my part. For some reason I couldn't call her mom and calling her by her first name, Barbara, just didn't sit right on my tongue either. With the birth of our girls, Grandma, seemed to be the perfect name for her. She didn't mind and we often joked about it.

I really feel her loss. She was the last living parent for both Charlie and I. Somewhere on a cloud I know she is dancing with Charlie's dad and hugging my husband's twin she never got to know. She always believed those who have departed this life send signs to let their loved ones know they are alright. I will watch for a sign from her and wipe my tears with the joy she is now at peace.

Speaking Today at The Texas Gulf Coast Writers

Susie Clevenger will be speaking at the next TGCW meeting. We will meet at 6:30 pm in the club room of the West End Lodge Apartments at 4215 North Major Drive in Beaumont, Texas.

Susie Clevenger is an author who refers to the whole world as her muse and translates her observations of life into verse.  As a young girl she spent many evenings dreaming of what lay beyond dirt roads, wanting the freedom to express what was inside of her. Susie recently published her first poetry collection, Dirt Road Dreams, which brought that yearning for personal expression to print.

Susie is a coordinator for the New World Creative Union, and a member of the online writing community, Imaginary Garden with Real Toads. Her work has been featured online in The Creative Nexus, Poetry & Prose Magazine, and The Brinks Gallery.

She is also a photographer who enjoys further artistic expression through her camera lens.

You can find links to Susie’s written work and photography as well as links to connect with her on social media at her author’s page:susieclevenger.com

http://texasgulfcoastwriters.blogspot.com/2013/02/february-11-meeting.html

Arrows Really?

February is marred by the presumption the stars have aligned to send an arrow toting cherub with perfect archery. Does anyone really wish to be struck by an arrow's tip shot from the hands of a winged child in a diaper?

 There is so much retail pandering to the billfolds of consumers. They have created enough guilt to have people rushing to buy candy and flowers to create the facade of love to assuage the demanding or the whining lips that have caught the Valentine bug. 

There is more to love than a once a year frenzied expression. I have been married for forty two years and love is shown to me each day of the year. Last year I was so ill from the side effects of the prescription drug Cozaar that the only thing I could do was feed myself. My husband's hands of love bathed me, dressed me, helped me take each painful step, and encouraged me when all I wanted to do was give up and die. My heart swells at how much he sacrificed to help me through the darkness until I could return to health again.

I suggest if you wish to celebrate Valentine's day, you look into the eyes of the one you love and tell them how much they mean to you. Spend some time walking away from the hype to really express what is in your heart. February 14th should be one in many that the person/persons you love will see, hear, and feel the depth of how important they are to you. Life goes by too fast to take even one moment for granted.

January 2013 Poetry & Prose Magazine

I am honored to have three of my poems included in the January issue of 

Poetry & Prose Magazine.

Poetry & Prose Magazine January 2013

Publish at Calameo or read more publications.

Where My Ink Has Been

I had doubted my muse of late, but she has stepped up beautifully. I think I got in my own way by trying to force my pen to write. I created such dribble all I could do was mark through it and hope I didn't leave any of it around for someone to find.

Following my Muse's lead I wrote of topics I hadn't even considered a few weeks ago. It is odd to use abortion, travel, and spring in the same sentence, but that is where my pen took me. Those were the messages whispered in my head to create. I must clarify all though those three words are in the same sentence, they were all used in different poems.

I had one friend who asked me, "Where do you come up with this sh _ _?"
Well, I hope it isn't the term he used. I just tossed back at him, "It is called imagination." I am not sure he knows what that means if it doesn't have a rating on it as to content.

Writing can be running at full speed into an unexpected wall. Everyone who has picked up a pen knows what that feels like. I managed to get through this one. Hopefully I won't encounter it again for sometime to come. It is time to create; strike while the flint is hot so to speak.

Head on over to Confessions of a Laundry Goddess to read where my ink has been.